EurOCEAN 2019 conference
11-12 June 2019
Paris, France

EurOCEAN conferences are major European marine science policy conferences. They provide a forum for the marine and maritime research community and wider stakeholders to interface with European and Member State policymakers and strategic planners, to consider, discuss and respond to new marine science and technology developments, challenges and opportunities.

The distinctive feature that characterizes EurOCEAN conferences is the focus on bringing the stakeholders together to speak with one voice towards policy. Since EurOCEAN 2004, conference delegates have delivered joint policy statements, EurOCEAN Declarations, to raise decision makers’ awareness of the marine research priorities and propose concrete actions. These statements have been critical drivers of research and policy developments in Europe since.

EurOCEAN 2014 (07-09 October 2014, Rome, Italy) highlighted the importance of Blue Growth and commercially-driven research, equally emphasizing that a growing and sustainable maritime economy will also require a much greater knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystem functioning and resilience. As key output, EurOCEAN 2014 delivered the Rome Declaration (PDF) - a common vision on achieving an ecosystem approach to the management of Europe’s marine resources as a fundamental requirement for sustainable Blue Growth and European leadership in marine science and technology.

EurOCEAN 2010 (12-13 October 2010, Ostend, Belgium) discussed policy developments and achievements since EurOCEAN 2007, highlighting new challenges and opportunities for marine research in the next decade. Culminated with the Ostend Declaration (PDF), EurOCEAN 2010 came at a crucial time to impact the development of the future European Commission Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding. High-level speakers profiled the crucial importance of marine sciences in the European economic recovery, growth and innovation.

EurOCEAN 2007 (22 June 2007, Aberdeen, United Kingdom) provided a unique opportunity for the European marine and maritime science communities to respond with one voice to the European Commission Green Paper “Towards a future for the Union: A European Vision for the Oceans and Seas”. The Aberdeen Declaration (PDF) greatly contributed to the development of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy and its recommendations have fed into collaborative projects in research and infrastructure, throughout the European Union.

EurOCEAN 2004 (10-13 May 2004, Galway, Ireland) and the Galway Declaration (PDF) ensured that critical areas in marine science were adequately supported at the European level. The Galway Declaration provided valuable inputs to the EU 7th Framework Programme, its recommendations taken up by numerous European and national research and funding programmes.